Denis Walsh on St Catherine's return to a county final and the standard of Cork club hurling
St Catherine's manager Denis Walsh against Ballygarvan during the Co-Op Superstores Premier JHC semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
It is the morning after the Co-Op Superstores Premier Junior Hurling semi-final and for St Catherine’s manager Denis Walsh reflecting on this win gives him huge pride.
Catherine’s, after getting outplayed in the first half, produced a storming second-half revival and managed to win 0-18 to 1-14.
Walsh, the former Cork hurling and football dual star, took time to look back on his side's defeat in last year's final to Erin’s Own in the same championship.
“Look the reality is that things were not going great for the club up to last season and to reach last year’s final we really had to put in a major effort, and it was a major achievement in reaching the final,” Walsh said.
In the words of Walsh his club had some great days in reaching the final but losing was a damp squib as they never got control of the game and a slow start didn’t help their cause.
“We ended up losing by a couple of points and we know we never hit the form we are capable of but credit to Erin’s Own they were worthy winners and some of the players have graduated to their Senior squad this season,” Denis added.
The Catherine’s chief found time to praise his own squad for the remarkable tenacity shown over the last couple of years.
“The lads bounced back and went to an All-Ireland final and now without getting a break we have scrapped beyond belief in every game this season.”
Ballygarvan playing out of their skins in the opening 30 minutes completely dominated St Catherine’s in their latest championship clash and they looked dead and buried for long periods in that opening half.
“We were blown away in the first half by a very good Ballygarvan side who looked head and shoulders over us, but it wasn’t rocket science what we needed to do in the second half as it was basically a challenge to win the arm wrestle.
“The intensity increased in the second half, but I have to point out we started without three of our key players who were injured and from the team that started in the county final last season we were missing seven.”
According to Walsh, there is a flip side to having a good conveyor belt in your club.
“For the past two years, we are consistently trying to raise the standard from number 30 to number 1 and as a management team we are always confident of the players we are bringing off the bench.”
In their latest win the Ballynoe outfit lost the injured Shane Cotter at half-time but the introduction of Kevin Barry who contributed two points proved crucial.
The final will be against Russell Rovers or Nemo Rangers but Walsh believes every game in this campaign has been a challenge.
“We had to go to the well in every game as we lost to the Glen in our first game and then we ended up defeating the Barrs by seven points but with 10 minutes remaining, we would have taken a draw.
“The last game against Arigideen Rangers was nailbiting before we won by two points and probably should have lost to Milford in the quarter-final but again found the resolve to win.”
In June 2023 Cork GAA was rocked with the sudden death of Teddy McCarthy who Walsh soldiered with for many years.
“Teddy was a guy who once you got to know was absolutely sound and as a person and player, he was unique.
“We were on every team together and I held the utmost respect for the man and his passing I think was not alone a huge loss to his family but to the entire GAA fraternity that he gave his life to both on and off the pitch.”
The progress of Cork hurling also came in for a mention from Walsh.
“I think Cork hurling is in a good place as the championship structures are spot on and although some people may have their disagreements, I do honestly believe teams are playing in their right grades and we have some wonderful games to take in.”
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